Initial reports claimed the actor threatened to take pills during a telephone argument and said, “I’m going to end this.” But the talented actor’s publicist strongly disputed that version and told RadarOnline.com: “This was a misunderstanding on one person’s part. Alec was quickly released from the hosptial, he’s completely fine and is at work today. “

And Baldwin did in fact go to work Thursday. When he came home more drama ensued.

A throng of media was waiting for Baldwin when he returned home at 5:15 p.m. An eyewitness told RadarOnline.com that a photographer from the New York Post asked Alec how he was and how his daughter Ireland was doing, and Baldwin went ballistic.

Earlier reports claim that Ireland is the one who called 911 and had Baldwin taken to a hospital.

After the photographer asked his question Thursday afternoon, Baldwin brushed past him and then yelled, “This guy assaulted me.” About 20 seconds later, four marked NYPD cars arrived, as Alec was in the lobby of his building.

“The police entered the lobby and Alec pointed out the photog,” an eyewitness told RadarOnline.com. “Then, without any warning, Alec ran out of the lobby into the street, chased by police, and grabbed the jacket of the New York Post photographer – and the police had to restrain him and then brought Alec back inside.”

Alec then went up to his apartment and about 5:45 pm he came out of the building, got into a waiting car and sped away.

NYPD officers at the scene – from the 24th precinct. – said they took reports at the scene but had not determined if any charges would be filed.

In another bombshell development, an NYPD source told RadarOnline.com exclusively that Alec admitted to police he took “only one Ambien” pill during an argument with his daughter Ireland — but his estranged ex-wife Kim Basinger told the youth to call 911 “in order to embarrass” the actor.

The NYPD source revealed: “Alec never threatened to overdose. He did admit to taking one Ambien sleeping pill – that’s all. Certainly nothing that would have required an emergency call. But Alec believes Ireland was put up to calling 911 because Kim put her up to it. Alec said that Kim told Ireland to do it so he would be embarrassed.